Hybrid Image Reconstruction Combining Analytical and Iterative Methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging techniques, such as iterative algebraic reconstruction methods, are sensitive to changes in measured projection data during preprocessing, leading to shading artifacts and reduced image quality in computed tomography images.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus and method that combines analytically and iteratively reconstructed images using low-pass and high-pass filtering to reduce shading artifacts, where the analytical image provides reduced shading and the iterative image suppresses noise, improving the final image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If iterative algebraic reconstruction methods are used, then image quality can be improved through noise suppression, but shading artifacts increase due to sensitivity to preprocessing changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines analytical and iterative reconstruction methods into a hybrid approach. The analytical reconstruction provides a baseline image with reduced shading artifacts, while the iterative reconstruction contributes noise suppression. The two results are merged through addition or weighted averaging to produce a final image that benefits from both methods, resolving the contradiction between noise suppression and artifact reduction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If analytical reconstruction is used, then shading artifacts are reduced, but noise suppression is insufficient compared to iterative methods
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid reconstruction method merges the strengths of analytical and iterative approaches. The analytical reconstruction component provides reduced shading artifacts, while the iterative reconstruction component provides enhanced noise suppression. By combining these two results, the final image achieves both low shading artifacts and effective noise suppression, overcoming the limitations of using either method alone.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an imaging apparatus for imaging an object of interest. An analytical reconstruction unit (12) analytically reconstructs an analytical image of the object from detection data, in particular, from projection data, and an iterative reconstruction unit (13) iteratively reconstructs an iterative image of the object from the detection data, wherein a combination unit (14) combines the analytical image and the iterative image for generating a combination image. An iterative image can comprises shading artifacts, which may be caused by preprocessing the detection data before performing the iterative reconstruction. An analytical image shows reduced shading artifacts, in particular, shows no shading artifacts at all. Thus, by combining the analytical image and the iterative image a combination image can be generated, in which the shading artifacts are reduced in comparison to an iterative image, thereby improving the quality of the reconstructed final image of the object of interest.